Meanings
Originally in military sense of intentionally cutting off one's own retreat (burning a bridge one has crossed) to commit oneself to a course of action, later used primarily to mean “alienate former friends”.
How to pronounce "burn one's bridges":
AU
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally.
Example: "Even if you are dismissed from a job in the worst way, take care not to burn your bridges with unseemly comments on the way out, since you never know who you will meet again."
